Multi-agency (entry/exit) prisons protocol

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The context

Research indicates spending time in prison increases a person’s homelessness risk: directly, through loss of previous housing, and indirectly, by increasing barriers to sustainable housing on release. A lack of stable housing makes recidivism more likely. The nature of some temporary accommodation in particular can exacerbate pre existing problems and create new ones. We observe not only a link between offending and homelessness, but also between repeat offending and repeat homelessness.

2017 Sustainable Housing on Release for Everyone (SHORE) standards, collaboratively developed by SPS and housing partners were cited in almost all initial RRTPs as areas of focus. Though currently aspirational guidelines, not statutory requirements, Angus Council, supported by the wider Community Justice Partnership, has given substantial focus to this area.

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The intervention

Angus Council has operated a prison housing protocol since 2010, including fortnightly advice surgeries delivered in HMP Perth for Angus residents, focused on housing and homelessness rights. The protocol was revised and strengthened in 2019, in line with SHORE standards and rapid rehousing guidelines. The focus is on partnership working to prevent homelessness on entry to prison, and to avoid unplanned homelessness on release.

The Council has an information-sharing agreement in place with SPS and receives weekly reports on prison admissions and upcoming liberations. A central team of housing staff identify and cross-check housing tenure and related issues, liaising with landlords, benefit agencies and any relevant support providers to prevent housing loss across all tenure, including Council, RSL and PRS, with the Council’s PRS officers linking in with private landlords where appropriate.

Options staff aim to assess prisoners’ housing needs early, avoiding the need for a homelessness application and temporary accommodation where a housing situation can’t be salvaged, or a prisoner was homeless on entry. Angus has a Common Housing Register (CHR) and Common Allocation Policy (CAP) encompassing housing owned by the Council and three RSLs. In 2019, partners revised the CAP to award highest priority to applicants in institutions, including prisons, to whom the Council has a rehousing duty. Prisoners are supported with furniture, utilities and benefits claims, where needed, through housing support and justice services, on release.

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The outcome

Angus Council has recorded a substantial reduction in homelessness applications from people previously in prison since introducing its protocol in 2010. This underlines the success of in-prison advice, preventing the loss of housing when incarcerated. Since implementing its updated protocol in 2019, the Council has noted a 260% decrease in people applying as homeless directly from prison.

Effective partnership working has been key to preventing tenancy loss on admission, and facilitating housing on release, where a prisoner would otherwise be homeless. In one case, information-sharing between SPS, Angus Council, Angus HA and benefits staff identified a prisoner with high arrears and legal action. A substantial backdate was successfully applied for on mental health grounds, cancelling arrears and legal action, and the person able to return home on release.

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Key insights

• a central point of coordination (in this case, a team within Housing Strategy) for multi-agency institutional protocols is vital for communication, liaison and monitoring. Staff also provide a report on a shared system so other partners are able to check status of individual cases
• achieving buy-in from Council teams and RSL partners is key to securing housing for release
• joint training on trauma-informed practice for housing and justice colleagues is beneficial

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Find out more…

Lynsey Dey, Temporary Housing Strategy Manager, Angus Council
deyl@angus.gov.uk